Grace Bastidas Deputy Editor

Born and raised in Queens, New York, where more languages are spoken than anywhere in the world, Grace Bastidas is Latina’s Deputy Editor. She oversees lifestyle content, including topics as diverse as career, health and relationships, and occasionally writes about her own experiences in The Good Life section. As a writer, Grace’s work has appeared in The New York Times, New York magazine, The Wall Street Journal and Travel + Leisure. She is fluent in Spanish.

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Ivy Queen is getting ready to let go of her true identity as Martha Ivelisse Pesante for the Machete Music Tour 2010, a multi-act extravaganza that kicks off on October 22 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Mamacita-to-be Paulina Rubio may be due in November but that doesn’t mean she’s slowing down. The 39-year-old Mexicana collaborated with R&B singer-songwriter Taio Cruz on the spanglish version of his “Dirty Picture” single from the album Rokstarr (Universal Island Records). Rubio reprises the role originally played by Kesha in the first cut of the song, purring “yo me haré una foto sexy” in her breathy, husky voice.

American Idol alum David Archuleta is looking on the bright side of things on his sophomore effort The Other Side of Down (Jive Records; out today). And why shouldn’t he? The 19-year-old, who co-wrote 10 of the 12 tracks on the pop album, is on a mission of self-discovery that has him positively excited. He’s even thinking of recording in Spanish! We recently had a chance to catch up with the Utah native and here’s what he had to say:

Vicky Cristina, who? Barcelona belongs to Shakira in the new video for “Loca,” the merengue-powered single from the Colombian singer’s upcoming album Sale el Sol (out October 19; Sony). Shot in the Catalonian capital, the “crazy” clip captures our favorite hip-shaker roller-skating by the beach, frolicking in a water fountain and taking to the streets on a motorcycle. “Barcelona is one of my favorite cities and has become a second home to me,” said Shakira.

Mexican-American singer Gustavo Galindo may draw comparisons to a certain Colombian rocker for his guitar-strumming ways and thoughtful lyrics but the 28-year-old has a style all his own. As he readies his debut album, Entre la Ciudad y el Mar, with the help of legendary producer Gustavo Santaolalla (Juanes, Café Tacuba, Julieta Venegas), he explains how his music bridges the gap between two cultures and languages.

Calle 13 is misbehaving again. And no, vocalist René Perez isn’t picking on politicians or offending the Catholic church (at least not this time). Instead, the Puerto Rican rapper is inciting listeners to misbehave on “Vamo’ a Portarnos Mal,” the latest single from the duo’s upcoming fourth album, Calma Pueblo (out October 26; Sony Music Latin).

Mexican pop rock trio Camila has soared to platinum status in the U.S. with their second album Dejarte de Amar. Now that they’ve been nominated for four Latin Grammys (Record of the Year, Best Pop Album, Best Song of the Year and Album of the Year), they’re on their way to making this a stellar 2010. I got a chance to talk to guitarist Pablo Hurtado about the band’s success and here’s what he had to say:

Afro-flamenco songstress Concha Buika is in high-demand these days. Not only did filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar praise her singing abilities in the liner notes of her last album El Último Trago, but apparently he’s a big fan of her acting chops as well. The Spanish auteur cast the 39-year-old in his latest film, La Piel Que Habita, starring Antonio Banderas and Marisa Paredes.

Colombian rockerosAterciopelados have never shied away from commenting on political and social issues through their music. The band’s latest video tackles the immigration debate with lyrics and images. The clip is for the song "Bandera," which was recorded for the 2008 album Rio but might as well have been written with Arizona's controversial SB1070 legislation in mind.

"Who are you?/ Where were you born?/ Therefore you can’t enter this country," sings vocalist Andrea Echeverri.

Bésame, bésama mucho… Sound familiar? The lyrics belong to one of those Mexican oldies that have withstood the test of time, like all of the tracks on Bimexicano: Nuestros Clasicos Hechos Rock(Nacional Records; out September 7 on iTunes), an upcoming compilation celebrating 200 years of Mexican Independence.

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